Irish · Desserts

Fifteens

A Northern Irish no-bake traybake of crushed digestive biscuits, marshmallows and glacé cherries bound with condensed milk, rolled in coconut, chilled and sliced.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 20 min hands on plus 4 hr Chilling Serves 15 servings Easy
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How to Make Fifteens

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  1. Put the biscuits in a freezer bag and crush them with a rolling pin into a mix of fine crumbs and small pieces.

  2. Cut the marshmallows into quarters with scissors, dipped in a little of the coconut so they do not stick, and quarter the cherries.

  3. Mix the crushed biscuits, marshmallows and cherries in a large bowl.

  4. Stir in the condensed milk a little at a time until the mixture holds together in a stiff, sticky dough. You may not need all of it.

  5. Scatter half of the coconut on a sheet of greaseproof paper, tip the mixture onto it, and shape into a log about 5 cm across, rolling it in the coconut to coat.

  6. Wrap the log tightly in the paper, twist the ends, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, until firm.

  7. Unwrap and slice into 15 rounds with a sharp knife.

Tips for Making Fifteens

  • Add the condensed milk gradually. Too much makes a mixture that will not hold its shape, and too little leaves a dry crumb that falls apart.
  • Dust the scissors with coconut as you cut the marshmallows. They are sticky, and coconut on the blades stops them clogging.
  • Chill the roll until it is firm. A cold, hard roll slices cleanly, and a soft one squashes.

What to Serve with Fifteens

  • A cup of tea
  • A glass of milk
  • Other traybakes on a plate

Storing & Reheating Fifteens

Keeps in the fridge, wrapped, for up to 2 weeks. Freeze the log for up to 3 months and slice it from frozen.

Fifteens FAQ: Common Questions

How long does Fifteens take to make?

About 20 minutes of hands-on work — 20 minutes of preparation and of cooking — plus 4 hours of Chilling, so allow 4 hours 20 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 15.

What are the key tips for making Fifteens?

Add the condensed milk gradually. Too much makes a mixture that will not hold its shape, and too little leaves a dry crumb that falls apart. Dust the scissors with coconut as you cut the marshmallows. They are sticky, and coconut on the blades stops them clogging. Chill the roll until it is firm. A cold, hard roll slices cleanly, and a soft one squashes.

What should I serve with Fifteens?

A cup of tea; A glass of milk; Other traybakes on a plate.

Can Fifteens be made ahead or frozen?

Keeps in the fridge, wrapped, for up to 2 weeks. Freeze the log for up to 3 months and slice it from frozen.

How many calories are in Fifteens?

About 175 kcal per serving, with 2 g protein, 26 g carbohydrate and 7 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Fifteens Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

175Calories
2gProtein
26gCarbs
7gFat
1gFibre
17gSugar
90mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

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